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SNC & St. Scholastica to MCHA

Re: SNC & St. Scholastica to MCHA

Very cool. A shift in power in the west for sure.

It is kind of sad to see a league as storied as the NCHA disappear (on the men's side anyways.) But change isn't always a bad thing. The WIAC schools made their bed and now it looks like they may have quite a few sleepless nights in it...
 
Re: SNC & St. Scholastica to MCHA

I didn't really harbor a ton of bad feelings toward the WIAC schools for the move because although I loved the NCHA and preferred the status quo I get the move. That said, I'm totally up for this. The WIAC schools weren't looking out for SNC and St. Scholastica so there was no reason for those two schools to worry about what happened to the five UW schools. We may witness some ugly games in the first few years with teams from the bottom half of the league, but this should give a big jumpstart to the already rising MCHA tide.
 
Re: SNC & St. Scholastica to MCHA

MW4Bucky&SNC said:
I didn't really harbor a ton of bad feelings toward the WIAC schools for the move because although I loved the NCHA and preferred the status quo I get the move. That said, I'm totally up for this. The WIAC schools weren't looking out for SNC and St. Scholastica so there was no reason for those two schools to worry about what happened to the five UW schools. We may witness some ugly games in the first few years with teams from the bottom half of the league, but this should give a big jumpstart to the already rising MCHA tide.
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Some of the schools that are going to be on the wrong end of some ugly games have been down that road, just a couple years ago. They're just going to have to raise their own games. Everyone in this league is going to have to, as a matter of fact.


norm1909 said:
The NCHA is NOT a big question mark - it is about to be RIP, killed by the economy. The WIAC has potential - but they better have some determination and rabbits in their hats.

Hello Pool B...
Click to expand...

Sorry, but I don't see the potential for those 5 schools here. If the ECAC-W gets to 7, these WIAC schools might have just committed program suicide.
 
Re: SNC & St. Scholastica to MCHA

Interestingly no one from the WIAC is speaking up in their own defense ... come on you Superior and Stevens Pointers ... where are you?
 
Re: SNC & St. Scholastica to MCHA

The arrogant WIACers did themselves in. If/When the ECAC West gets to 7 teams, they are going to be really hurting as far as the NCAAs are concerned.
 
PuckVoice said:
Interestingly no one from the WIAC is speaking up in their own defense ... come on you Superior and Stevens Pointers ... where are you?
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Defend what? The WIAC made a decision and the remaining NCHA teams made a decision. Both paths appear to be solidified and it will be very interesting to see where it takes everyone. Congratulations to the MCHA on accepting the Green Knights, 55-0-2 all time against current MCHA members, and the Saints into your league. Hey Adrian is there a frequent drivers club that has the best deal you can recommend to the Saints? I think they will be looking for one very soon.
 
Re: SNC & St. Scholastica to MCHA

Hammer said:
Some of the schools that are going to be on the wrong end of some ugly games have been down that road, just a couple years ago. They're just going to have to raise their own games. Everyone in this league is going to have to, as a matter of fact.
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Not knowing the MCHA schools that well, is there any concern that some of them may decide they don't want to spend the resources to up their program and go the way of Lebanon Valley?
 
Russell Jaslow said:
Not knowing the MCHA schools that well, is there any concern that some of them may decide they don't want to spend the resources to up their program and go the way of Lebanon Valley?
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The only one that comes to mind would be Lake Forest. Concordia just got a new rink and poached Marian's coach, and my gut tells me that Finlandia and Northland are staying put. Northland has improved immensely the last couple years, and Finlandia showed signs of life the 2nd half of last year.

Marian has underfunded their program but they just hired a SNC assistant, so for now I see a commitment there as well.
 
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Blugold Hockey said:
Defend what? The WIAC made a decision and the remaining NCHA teams made a decision. Both paths appear to be solidified and it will be very interesting to see where it takes everyone. Congratulations to the MCHA on accepting the Green Knights, 55-0-2 all time against current MCHA members, and the Saints into your league. Hey Adrian is there a frequent drivers club that has the best deal you can recommend to the Saints? I think they will be looking for one very soon.
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It's true, they'll probably have to travel to Adrian every other season, but they're not a WIAC school so they can afford to do so. It seems there has been some implications that CSS is stuck up in the middle of nowhere by MCHA standards when that simply isn't true. Northland is almost as close to them as Superior, and Finlandia is still a bigger hike for every other MCHA team. The real question may be how long before the WIAC moves down to ACHA?

Edit : 55-0-2 is only slightly more impressive than SNC 's 40-4-4 all time record vs. Eau Claire.
 
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Re: SNC & St. Scholastica to MCHA

altazo said:
It's true, they'll probably have to travel to Adrian every other season, but they're not a WIAC school so they can afford to do so. It seems there has been some implications that CSS is stuck up in the middle of nowhere by MCHA standards when that simply isn't true. Northland is almost as close to them as Superior, and Finlandia is still a bigger hike for every other MCHA team. The real question may be how long before the WIAC moves down to ACHA?

Edit : 55-0-2 is only slightly more impressive than SNC 's 40-4-4 all time record vs. Eau Claire.
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MCHA League Travel
Saints – Notrthland 70 Miles
Saints – Finlandia 217 Miles
Saints – St. Norbert 330 Miles
Saints – Lawrence 337 Miles
Saints – Marian 356 Miles
Saints – MSOE 397 Miles
Saints – Concordia 412 Miles
Saints – Lake Forest 454 Miles
Saints – Adrian 697 Miles

NCHA League Travel
Saints – Superior 15 Miles
Saints – Eau Claire 155 Miles
Saints – Stout 171 Miles
Saints – River Falls 175 Miles
Saints – Stevens Point 268 Miles
Saints – St. Norbert 330 Miles

(roughly, not door to door for mileage)

Like you said Altazo, at least the Saints are closer to Northland and Finlandia than most of the other MCHA teams. I'm sure traveling on the two lane roads to play Northland and Finlandia will feel shorter knowing that they're a lot closer than most MCHA schools.

And yest Altazo, UWEC is way on the wrong end of the 40-4-4 Record vs the Knights (they're a pretty good team) and while being so bad vs the Knights UWEC has had no problems walking into Adrian the last two years and taken care of business. The best team the MCHA has had since its inception (Adrian) has an all time record of 1-5 vs current NCHA teams and three of those losses were against teams that finished in the bottom of the NCHA in the respective season's that they beat Adrian.

On a separate note as a DIII hockey fan; if the WIAC does fold like it seems a lot of people are speculating that would probably hurt the possibility of expanding the NCAA Tournament, so I hope all the dooms day prepers are wrong.
 
Re: SNC & St. Scholastica to MCHA

I know, I know, I'm an easterner, BUT, isn't the WIAC sort of trying to become the SUNYAC of the west? And aren't there some other Wisconsin state schools that could add hockey to make the WIAC tournament eligible?
 
Re: SNC & St. Scholastica to MCHA

I'm pleased the MCHA put the welcome mat out for these poor orphans.;):D

I very much looking forward to the end of the current scheduling format of the MCHA.
Initially there will need to be more non-conference opportunities afforded those teams wanting to add relative strength to their schedules.


There'll certainly be a lot more meaningful discussion this time next year as scheduling takes shape in the west.
 
Re: SNC & St. Scholastica to MCHA

Hammer said:
...Sorry, but I don't see the potential for those 5 schools here. If the ECAC-W gets to 7, these WIAC schools might have just committed program suicide.
Click to expand...

The WIAC schools have the recruiting base and significant recruiting advantages in several demographics, as well as an (aging) legacy. There is potential but and it is a big BUT - as I noted, they will need to have some strong determination (aka administrative commitment) and/or rabbits in their hats.





The Real Georgia Peach said:
I know, I know, I'm an easterner, BUT, isn't the WIAC sort of trying to become the SUNYAC of the west? And aren't there some other Wisconsin state schools that could add hockey to make the WIAC tournament eligible?
Click to expand...

More like the MASCAC ;)
 
Re: SNC & St. Scholastica to MCHA

No WIAC schools will be adding men's hockey any time soon. They are all facing legitimate budget issues, which depending on whom you choose to listen to is the reason for all of this anyway. ;)
 
Re: SNC & St. Scholastica to MCHA

Sir Nubs said:
No WIAC schools will be adding men's hockey any time soon. They are all facing legitimate budget issues, which depending on whom you choose to listen to is the reason for all of this anyway. ;)
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Not to mention the title 9 hurdle all schools are up against.
 
Re: SNC & St. Scholastica to MCHA

overall just glad the announcement / decision was made, time to move forward.
Sad to know this is the last season of the NCHA and Peters Cup.
time to continue building the next dynasty!
 
Re: SNC & St. Scholastica to MCHA

Blugold Hockey said:
And yest Altazo, UWEC is way on the wrong end of the 40-4-4 Record vs the Knights (they're a pretty good team) and while being so bad vs the Knights UWEC has had no problems walking into Adrian the last two years and taken care of business. The best team the MCHA has had since its inception (Adrian) has an all time record of 1-5 vs current NCHA teams and three of those losses were against teams that finished in the bottom of the NCHA in the respective season's that they beat Adrian.

On a separate note as a DIII hockey fan; if the WIAC does fold like it seems a lot of people are speculating that would probably hurt the possibility of expanding the NCAA Tournament, so I hope all the dooms day prepers are wrong.
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You sound bitter !
Four of Adrian's losses were by one goal. Two of those were in the Tournament to SNC one of which was the in the National Championship.

As I look back at the results the past several years, UWEC has had very little to celebrate other than it's victories at Adrian's Thanksgiving Invitational. Both games were great to watch and the Blugold's were very good. I will alway respect UWEC for being the first NCHA team to put us on their schedule.

I agree with you and hope the WIAC thrives. Would love to get another shot at UWEC.
 
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Re: SNC & St. Scholastica to MCHA

NorthernLite said:
You sound bitter !

As I look back at the results the past several years, UWEC has had very little to celebrate other than it's victories at Adrian's Thanksgiving Invitational. Both games were great to watch and the Blugold's were very good. I will alway respect UWEC for being the first NCHA team to put us on their schedule.

I agree with you and hope the WIAC thrives. Would love to get another shot at UWEC.
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No not bitter at all NorthernLite. UWEC's non conference record with a very tough SOS has been solid since Coach Loen has taken over, they just need to be better (maybe a lot better) in conference. Took great steps last year sweeping River (in River) in the first round of playoffs and IMO gave the Knights the only real challenge they had in the post season. 2-0 Loss (1 PP Goal, 1 ENG) with a controversial goal disallowed for the Blugolds early in the first period. I think the future is bright for the Blugolds and hope they represent the NCHA / WIAC this year in Lake Placid. But I'm always wearing my Blugold colored glasses.
 
Re: SNC & St. Scholastica to MCHA

This was not the result that I was expecting, but as an MCHA fan, I am very happy to have both CSS and SNC in the league. The WIAC schools will be fine moving forward. They have a lot of comparative advantages that should keep their programs strong. This has been a good summer for the MCHA. SNC and CSS make the top of the table stronger, while recent coaching changes at Lake and Concordia should strengthen the bottom as well.

More than anything, I am curious to see what scheduling looks like in a couple of years for both the NCHA and the WIAC.
 
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